NEARING RETURN Manie Libbok (centre) aims for a timely recovery to rejoin the Stormers against Cardiff, as he focuses on rehabilitation following a PCL injury sustained in January, potentially impacting his position amid competition from Sacha-Feinberg Mngomezulu. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Springboks and Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok is hoping to recover from injury in time for the Cape side’s final United Rugby Championship (URC) group game against Cardiff on May 16.
Stormers coach John Dobson said that Libbok is already training with the side and expected him to be available for his side’s penultimate group match against Dragons on May 10.
The number 10 himself, though, is more cautious about when exactly he will return.
Libbok picked up a Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) against Leinster in January, and he was lucky to avoid surgery.
“To be honest, I'm in the recovery phase now, because obviously I injured myself against Leinster back in January. So I'm currently busy with my rehab and stuff, so I'm focused on that and obviously getting myself ready,” Libbok said.
“Hopefully [I’ll be ready] for the last game of the season if everything goes well. But yeah, my focus now is to obviously get focused on my injury and try to fix it and try to get it right and obviously come back better, stronger.
“I saw the specialist and he told me I don't have to have an operation. I just need to rehab and do a good rehab and I will be fine.”
Since the 27-year-old Libbok has been out of action, Jurie Matthee has slotted in at flyhalf for the Stormers. However, since the return of Sacha-Feinberg Mngomezulu to the Stormers side and in red-hot form, it may even mean Libbok will face more time on the sidelines.
